[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]My friends and I make this observation constantly: Across the entire Disneyland resort, amidst two theme parks with a variety of eateries and a Downtown Disney full of restaurants, you can’t get a decent burger anywhere!

Sure, you can get hamburgers churned out the old school Disney way, with a patty and uninspired trimmings that look to be on par with something you’d find at McDonald’s. Meanwhile, outside the resort, places like Umami Burger or The Counter have dramatically upgraded and classed up the concept of the “burger joint.”

In Huntington Beach, Slater’s 50/50, allows you to build your own creations with a burger comprised of 50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the “Fritos’s Crunch Burger,” comprised of Brandt beef, bacon American cheese, bacon turkey chili, Fritos, 1000 island, brioche.

It’s the new trend in creative burger artistry, with an attention to quality down to the origin of the beef itself, which has taken off like wildfire, and Disney should take note.

When Condor Flats re-opens this summer with its re-theme to Grizzly Peak Airfield, the lone dining offering in this section of the park, Taste Pilot’s Grill, will presumably undergo its own refurbishment. There is no better opportunity to turn this location into the one true premiere signature burger establishment of the resort.

Diners would be lined up.

Last year, you couldn’t get a decent cup of coffee inside Disneyland and California Adventure. Sure, you could find your standard Yuban, or whatever generic brand they had been serving since the 1950’s. Introducing Starbucks into the parks was a stroke of genius, demonstrating a willingness to concede in-house preparations by allowing the “experts” to come in and plus the offerings in the parks for a classier experience.

Both the Starbucks at Disneyland and the one inside California Adventure are appropriately themed to their environments for a minimally intrusive experience.

The burger opportunity at Taste Pilot’s Grill should follow suit. Maybe they allow the founders of Umami to come in and create an appropriate menu paired to the new theme. I can picture tasty gourmet build your own Grizzly Burgers sizzling on the grill right now paired with a variety of craft beers from local mountain breweries to choose from.

While we’re at it, let’s re-design both the exterior and interior of Taste Pilot’s Grill, promoting a much more festive and energetic experience in a themed environment that reminds guests of a ski lodge in the middle of the mountains. Outdoor bench seating with string lights hung overhead, live music, with great grilling happening inside. What a fun, positive upbeat change this could be!

Disney Imagineers, if you’re listening out there, please make this happen.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]